The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-21
MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION.
Yesterdays Proceedings Before the
Methodist Convention.
Resolutions Passed Respecting Gov
ernors BodweIl and Marble.


Merrill, of Knightvile.
At $50 O'Clock Rev. w. s. Jones, Presiding
Elder, Occupying the chair, and Rev. Mr.. Brag-
don being secretary, Rev. Messrs. Randall,
stackpole, Luce and Pottle were appointed
committee to prepare resolutions in reference to
our deceased Governor, Hon. j. r. Bodwell. The
convention also appointed a committee to ar
range series of missionary meetings; and it
was voted that the first be held in South Berwick
in June, 1888.
The first regular paper was an address by Rev.
T. Gerrish of Biddeford, on "The Domestic Mis-
siozs of the Methodist Episcopal Church" The
speaker referred to the Southern mission with its
wide field and urgent claims; but he wished, in
this paper, to consider especially the magnitude
and promise of the Western field. 1t comprises
about threefourths of our territory, land with
every variety of climate and untold wealth of pro-
duction and resources. The riches OF the world
are embraced within its limits, and all nations
are represented among its peoples. what a held
for Methodist enterprise and for earnest and sue
eessful Christian work, and Methodists are es-
d ecially called to this field and encouraged TO cul
tiyate it, because, first, the people are especially
open TO Methodist principles, with its proclama-
tion of a free salvation, and its grand chorus OF
Christian song; second, they have large body OF
earnest, liberal members-noble workers and
prlQcely RlNtTS, ttclC 10 q bhdhA o"AAN Va
ministers, eager for work and glorying In the
cross of Christ
The address was earnest in tone and hopeful in
spirit, and was followed by brief addresses. Rev.
Mr.. stackpole Of saco spoke of the relative inn
portance of Home and Foreign Missions, and
showed their intimate connection. Ii we had the
same earnestness in this work as we showed in
the late war for the integrity of our government
we sh oulu i'm ten years, capture this world for
Christ.
Rev. John Collins, of Kezar Falls, followed in
characteristic address on money, rum and tobac-
co, and affirmed that rum and Romansm, and
their attendant evils, were the giant obstacles to
the progress of the gospel. Let the rum power be
destroyed, and Satan's throne would totter to ifs
final ruin.
Rev. Mr.. Atkinson of Elliot spoke of the need
of fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit, and higher
degree of personal conservation to God.
Rev. Mr.. MacIntyre spoke OF the need OF more
money for the Western mission field. Chaplain.
McCabe spoke of the rapid increase of the Meth
odist denomination, and suggested for watch
word for the Methodists, "a family altar in every
home; religious newspaper in every house;
month";" The speaker also stated that of all the
converts in the foreign field from the labors of the
ninety-Seyen missionary societies, one-third be-
longed to the Methodist church.
AT this point the following resolutions were
adopted, in reference to our deceased governor
Whereas, in the providence of God our chief
executive, Governor J. X. Bodwell, has been
called by death to lay down the administration of
State, leaving a State In great grief with a sense
of irreparable loss therefore,
Resolved, That in the life Of Governor Bodwell
we have true type of American civilization, ana
in this respect we hold him up to our young men
as a worthy example of filial devotion, of indus
trious habits ana generous public spirit and OF
ResoiUed, That we regard his elevation to the
gnbernatorial Office as proyidental in the interests
If a oh flolf aQnppfQlIV
the interests of the temperance cause.
Resolved, That we regard Governor Bodwelrs
administration as eminently able, and that we re-
cord our most hearty approval of his answering
fidelity to official duties in the enforcement of the
laws of the State against the Ubiquitous liquor
Resolved, That we shall always hold Governor
Bodwell as one of the chiefest OF our chief execu
tives.
Resolved That we express most hearty sympa-
thy for the bereaved in the home of Governor
Boawe ana sha pray i15 the aDdn h eeRed
family.
Rev. Mr., Randall spoke upon Governor Bod
wells integrity, moral excellence and fidelity 10
the great principles OF reform. and TO the great
loss brought upon us all. Rev. Messrs. Luce. Ger
IRISH and Martin followed in similar trains of re-
mark, after which the resolutions were unani-
mously adopted by rising vote.
Rev. M. @. Pendexter of Saccarappa gave an adj
dress on Home Missions Of the Maine Confer
ence," referring to the necessity and Importance
of the work to be done. The rural districts have
furnished a large proportion of the business and
religious talent of the cities and large towns and
we should not neglect those rural sections.
Rev Messrs. Woodley, Bragdon and Stackpole
followed IN remarks urging more liberal contrlbu-
tons and larger appropriations for the benefit of
the weak churches and destitute communities of
the State.
The following resolution was at this point intro
duced and adopted:
Whereas the Hon s. S. Marble, late President
OF the Senate, has by the death OF Governor j. T.
Bodwell, become by the provisions of the Consti
ton Governor of Maine; Therefore
Resolved, That we will extend to Governor
Marble our support in the discharge of his official
duties as Governor Of the State and earnestly
of his ilustrous predecessor in the impartial en-
forcement of the laws OF the State, especially the
law against the traffic in intoxicating liquors We
assure Governor Marble that he shall have our
sympathies and prayers that he may have that in
tegrity and decision SO absolutely needed for tie
impartial discharge of the duties OF his office.
Adjourned with the benedietion.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The session opened with season OF prayer and |
song led by Rev. Mr.. Randall. Rev. J. Nudge |
gave the first regular address on "Modern Mis-. |
sions Throughout the World" The Methodsts |
have twenty-five MISSIONS and the membership
of the mission churches within the last decade
increased some three hundred per cent. The
speaker gave a brief sketch of the four leading
eastern nations, and the missionary work in each.
In Corea opened in 1888, there are five Methodist
missionaries, and the work is favored by the
King. In Japan there is a wonderful field. Com.
FERRY WHO OpODeu ldllu 10 tiic WcolcIH
still held in honored remembrance by the ma
ton. In all the arts and improvements of civil
lied life the whole country is making marvelo us
progress and the nation is ready for Christianity
Space will not allow us to give the interesting
sketch of the mission work in the vast kingdom OF
China; and the magnificent results of similar
work In Northern and Southern India.
collection was taken up and ad hymn ms sung,
yention. He spoke of the Importance of distri-
buting religious reading. The speaker referred
an obstacle to Christian work in India. After
presenting the audience some OF the tracts when
he wished the ministers to sell, the Chaplain ex-
cused himself till the evening.
The convention adjourned with the benediction.
EVENING.
The closing exercise of the evening was short
address by Chaplain McCabe. The speaker had
for his theme what he would do If he were the
devil. 1t was sharp and effective arraignment
of the indifference of the church over the sins OF
the community-card-payin dancing, an unscru-
pulous press, the endless dispute over uncertain
questions. He spoke enthusiastically of the final
triumph of the gospel and closed with singing the
hymn, "On the happy golden Shore"
Adjourned with the beDediction.
The following preamble and resolutions were
adopted:
Whereas, We believe that the teaching of A.
B. Simpson and followers contain "strange doc
tTine and heresy" such as we are solemnly pledged
to Danish and drive away, and
Whereas, his practice of rebaptfsing is contrary
to Scriptures and a disciple of our church, and
Whereas, 1t is our conviction that 'The Chris
tian Alliance" is essentially church organZa-
ton, and tends to disturbance and schlsm In the
churches, therefore
RESOLVED, That we consider it to be our duty to
warn our people against these dangerous doctrines
and practices
ResoEUed That it is our judgment that no mem
Der of the Methodist Episcopal church Is at lib
erty to join 1.-THE Christian Alliance" while re-
naming In tie membership of said church.
RESOLVED, That we affectionately exhort our
members who have joined said Alliance" to
withdraw at once and and no longer give it their
support And we do hereby earnestly entreat the
"0ld Orchard Campmeeting Association" to can
Gel their engagement with A. B. Simpson for an
other season.
Prane's Christmas Cards.